Pfizer Announces Decision to Terminate Developmental Agreement

Progress on a new abuse resistant extended release oxycodone formulation was potentially impacted by the announcement this week by Pfizer that it is terminating its agreement with Pain Therapeutics to develop and commercialize the drug Remoxy®. A spokesperson for Pain Therapeutics said that the company remains “enthusiastic” about the prospect of finding new partners with which to work on developing and commercializing the analgesic.

Remoxy is an extended release oral analgesic intended to treat severe pain that requires daily, around the clock management. The drug is based on Durect Corp.’s patent-pending Oradur technology, described by the company as designed to “discourage common methods of tampering associated with prescription opioid analgesic misuse and abuse.” The Pfizer decision followed an internal review conducted in response to receipt of a Complete Response Letter from FDA in 2011 rejecting approval of the medication. Read a news story with links to additional press information from the companies here. An additional perspective on the decision and potential impact may be read here.